THE success of the grey squirrel has irked conservation groups, who pine for the native red. But do greys really deserve their bad reputation?
I don't think so! Greys have merely been more successful at adapting to the many changes experienced by our woodlands, whereas the reds have suffered because of it.
Greys have also been blamed for the poxvirus which has spread rapidly through the red population.
But hang on a minute, greys have largely overcome this disease by building anti-bodies to protect themselves.
So why not leave them alone and let the reds build their own immunity?
Man is always meddling in nature instead of trying to work with her. Taking away the reds’ habitat is surely the main reason why they are struggling now, not because the greys are more robust.
I once reared an orphaned grey squirrel who became a much loved family pet. In adulthood he became a bit hostile - but only when he saw my husband replenishing his bowl of nuts!
Overall he was a lovable character and gave us many amusing moments.
Skippy died of a stroke at the age of eight - breaking our hearts.
Our baby squirrel, Skippy.
The idea that conservation groups employ cruel people to shoot greys out of trees, or poison them with warfarin which thins their blood causing them to bleed from every orifice, or even trap them in cages so they can be forced into a bag to be bludgeoned to death, is horrible.
Some years back we were taking a stroll through woods at Pentrefoelas when we found a cage trap with a dead squirrel inside.
The gamekeeper setting this trap could not be bothered to check it out: that poor squirrel would have suffered for days before it died.
By all means love the reds for their delicate beauty and fragile ways, but please don't blame the greys for being successful - just delight in them and enjoy watching them play and forage in our woods, parks and gardens.
